21 Aug 2025
440. Question Time: How To Start A Centrist PartyWhy do the Lib Dems still fly under the radar? Is Trump quietly setting the stage for an authoritarian takeover? And, why does Alastair swear so much?
The Rest Is Politics
Two men who’ve been at the heart of the political world – former Downing Street Director of Communications and Strategy Alastair Campbell and cabinet minister Rory Stewart – join forces from across the political divide.
Leading
18 Aug 2025
149. Nicola Sturgeon: On Margaret Thatcher, Alex Salmond, and the Push for Independence (Part 1)What is the difference between class distinctions in Scotland and the rest of the UK? How did Nicola Sturgeon's childhood in Scotland inform her politics? What was Margaret Thatcher's influence on Nicola's career?
Every Monday, Rory and Alastair interrogate, converse with, and interview some of the world’s biggest names – from both inside and outside of politics – about life, leadership, or leading the way in their chosen field.
Latest
27: Feargal Sharkey: Teenage Kicks, Bobby Sands, and saving our rivers
Can we reverse the damage done to our polluted rivers and seas? What was it like to write Teenage Kicks? How has Brexit hamstrung the music industry?From punk singer to political activist, Fe... Continue
151. Question Time: Feargal Sharkey on water pollution, drug legalisation, and fishing
Is it too late to save our rivers? How should the government approach drug testing at festivals? Which political journalists were in attendance at George Osborne's wedding?Singer, environment... Continue
150. Sunak’s path to victory, Trump’s stance on Ukraine, and the future of Palestine
Is there any way that Sunak can win the next election? Would a second Trump presidency decisively change the course of the Ukraine conflict? What's the future of Palestine in the face of Neta... Continue
Alastair Campbell’s Diary: The NHS deserves better than this Tory government
As Labour left office in 2010, the NHS had the highest satisfaction ratings in its history. Today, ratings and morale could barely be lower... Continue
26: Francis Fukuyama: Trump, Modi, and ‘The End of History’
What was the worst political mistake in modern history? How do religious Republicans bring themselves to support Trump? Was it wrong to describe the fall of the Soviet Union as ‘The End of ... Continue
So on the 75th anniversary of the founding of the NHS, what better way to spend it than by being part of a graduation ceremony in which several hundred medical students won the right to put the lette...
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Why are the Orkney islands looking to explore options around joining Norway? Are psychedelics the future of mental health treatment? Does the path to a Labour majority include winning over Na...
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148. France on fire, Thames Water troubles, and NHS privatisation
What's happening in France? How did Thames Water become saddled with debt? Are we on course for inevitable NHS privatisation? Join Alastair and Rory as they discuss the main issues of the we... Continue